Litigation is the process of resolving disputes through the public court system by filing or answering a complaint
. It is a formal legal process where disagreements are discussed and resolved in a court of law, leading to an official decision
. It involves a series of steps, including filing a complaint, discovery, and trial, and may also involve alternative dispute resolution methods like arbitration
. The litigation process generally includes
:
- Filing a complaint with the court by the plaintiff
- Serving the defendant with the complaint to notify them of the action
- The defendant responding to the complaint, typically by filing an answer
- A period of discovery where both parties exchange information and gather evidence
- The filing of motions, which are requests for the judge to make a legal ruling
- A trial where both parties present their case to a judge or jury
- A judgment issued by the court
- The possibility of an appeal to a higher court
